Andy Schleck delays return

Paris - Luxembourg rider Andy Schleck is delaying his return to competition after a respiratory infection, his RadioShack team announced on Friday.

Schleck, who was due to ride in the Tour du Haut Var-Matin in the south of France this weekend, will not now take part.

"Schleck feels healthy again after his infection of the respiratory tract, which forced him to abandon last weeks's Tour Mediterraneen, but team management, together with the medical staff of the team, decided to not take any risk," the team announced.

"We were happy to see Andy doing well in training the last few days," explained team manager Luca Guercilena. "There is however a big difference between training and race situations.

"We want to prevent a relapse because of the race. Andy's main goals are situated later in the season. It's better that we are cautious now instead of taking steps backward."

Schleck will continue his training build-up in Mallorca and is now expected to resume competition in Italy in the Grand Premio Citt di Camaiore on February 28.